Electric generator



2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

L. 1. LE PONTOIS. 1. G. KIPP. GUARDIAN. ELECTRIC GENERATOR. APPLICATIONFILED 0CT.28,19I4 RENEWED MAY M IQIB- E Patented Feb. 3,1920.

L. 1. LE PONTOIS.

1 a KIPP GUARDIAN ELECTRIC GENERATUR. m'ucmon FILED OCT-26,1914. RENEWEDmay 4. 1m.

Patented Feb. 3,1920.

2 SHEETS-SHEEI 2- Jamm . Be it knowfi that I, LEON UNITED STATES. PATENTOFFICE.

mow 4r. LE rom'ors. oi:- LAKEWOOD, 0310;.1. o. mrouannunor was HansonAND ESTATE OF SAID LEON J.

LEjPONTOIS, SAID LE PON'IDIS ASSIGNOR, BY MESN'E A SSIGN MEN TS,"1O THETEAGLE COMPANY, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO, A CORPORATION or omo.

To all whom it concern:

J.-'L1: Pon'rors,

a citizen of the Republic of France, residing at Lakewood, in the countyof Cuyahoga invented certain and State of Ohio, have new and usefulImprovements in and Relating to Electric Generators, of which thefollowing is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in ignition mechanism forinternal combustion engines,- more particularly to an electricgentension electrical im ulses for ignition purposes.

' nu of the objects of my invention has been to provide an ignitiongenerator in whichpai-ts of an internal combustion motor 'erator forproducing high are utilized as parts of the genera tor,thereby reducingthe number of parts required as 4 compared with the number for suchamotor and a standard ignition generator or magneto.

Another object of my invention has been to dispense with additionalgears or gearing -for driving a magneto and to utilize as a mtor sha fta necessary shatter the internal combustion motor with which a generatorof my improved type is incorporated, thereby insuring'more perfectignition synchronism than is obtainable where a plurality of.

gears or gearing is introduced between a motor shaft and any ofthestandard forms of ignition generators or magnetos now in general use. 7

Other-objects of my invention will be obvious to those skilled in theart to which it relates, from the disclosures herein of a mechanismembodying it which have selected as an example.

Figure 1 is a vertical longitudinal section of mechanism embodyingmy'invention.

Fig. 2 is a section on the line 2-2, Fig: 1. Fig.3 is a side of thegenerator withcover removed.

Fig. 4 is a section on the line 4- -4, Fig. 1, all the parts beingenla1ged y Fig. 5 is a view, partly in side'elevation and partly'insection of the circuit closing mechanism.

Figs. 6, 7, and 8 a1 details.

Fig. 9 is a rearele 'ation of a part of the gtptor.

Fig. 10 is afront elevation of the parts Shown in Fig. 9 v

Eig. 1 1 is a wiring diagram.

Specification of Letters latent.

567. nenewedira 4, 1918. Serial No. 282,659.

' or portion 1.

'ing.preferab y consists of a se tion 6 of ELECTRIC oiinmron.

Patented Feb. 3; 1920.

enlarged section 1 to receive a driven gear in this example a. wormgear, not shown and a section'l", communicating therewith, to receivethe driving gear 2 on thecrank' shaft 2'. This shaft is mounted in theeasing'in suitable bearings at 2, 2", and has an outwardly projectingend 2. When the motor gear casing is made of iron, it is possible andeconomical to form one pole piece of the magneto integral withthe'casing casting. Accordingly, I have, in-Fig. '1, shown the laterallyextending-pole piece 1 tobe formed integral with the 'casing 1. Thiscasing also has a downwardly extending arm spacing piece ofnon-magnetic-material. It

comprises'a tubular section 4 fitted into the SQ gear casing to, receivethe bearing 2" for the crank shaft, an off-set portion 4 to providespace for-the generating coil to be.

hereinafter' described, and a shoulder 4". This piece 4 may be securedto the gear casing in any suitable manner, as by bolts 4* ofnon-magnetic material, and may be a pressure casting if desired.

5 is apole piece having polar projections 5 and 5* with polar. surfaces'5 and 5, respectively. This pole piece is preferably made of laminae'of iron and may be secured to the non-magnetic supporting plate 4' inany suitable manner. ,I have shown this to be accomplished by means ofstuds and caps t 'of non-magnetic material.

A generating winding-6 is supported by the pole-piece 5 and preferablysurrounds the polar pro'ections 5"thereof. This windrelatively'coarsewire, the primary winding," and a section 6 of relatively finewire, the secondary winding. I

7 is an unwound inductor rotor, prefera ably made of laminm of iron andcarried by 106 the "portion-250i? the shaft 2' with which it is rigid]connected, by a. key 7'. The" polar sur 1; of the pole piec 1: is

H Fig. 1'2\is a detailshowing of a modifica- 66 4 is a po1e ;supportingand formed in the arc of the circle containing the polar surfaces and5", and of which the'axis of the rotor is the center. The polar 'surfaces'of the rotor 7 cooperate with 5 the polar surfaces 1" 5 and 5 inamanner to be hereinafter set forth.

8 is a field magnet, The one shown consists of the well known horseshoetype of permanent magnet. Each magnet has its 10 upper leg restinguponand secured to the pole piece 1' as by means of a screw 8'-. belower leg of each of these magnets is in magnetic contact with thelaminated pole piece 5 screws 8. a

' 'Mechanisnr for opening and closin' the circuit of the primarywinding6* may e of any-suitable and well known character. In

the drawings this breaker mechanism is indicated as anentirety by 9. 9is a frame, preferablyof non-magnetic material, such as a die casting,which may be secured to the ole piece lby means of cap screws 9. It

lies a laterally extending box-like portion 9", in which a suitablecondenser 10.1nay be :posit-ioned and held, and a rearwardly extending,lu 9 .to which is pivotally con nected the reaker 'arm 11 which carriesa 'fiberslioe 11. A spring 12 mounted in a recess 9 in the frame 9' andcentered by the stud 9, bears at its lower end on the upper surface ofthe breaker arm 11 and serves to press its free end 'toward'the axis ofthe driving shaft 2. 13 is an electrode carried to make contactintermittently with the electrode 1-1 adjustably mounted iira sup- )ort15 supported from the frame 9 by the bolt 15 and insulated therefrom bythe insulating material 15". 16 is a cam secured to and rotating withthe drivin shaft 2 and disposed so that its surface wil engage with theshoe 11 and cotiperate'with thespring 1'2 intermittently to effect theengagementand disengagement of the electrodes 13, 14 during therotationof the shaft 2.

()ne terminal 16 of the primary winding 6" may be connected by theconductor l7'to the support 15 and electrode 11. The other terminal 6 ofthe primary winding may be grounc ed. One terminal 6 of the secondarywindin may be connected to the terminal 6 of tie primary winding and theother terminal 6' to one electrode of a suitable spark )lug 18 in theengine cylinder, the other electrode of which is grounded to the framein the well known manner. The condenser 10 is connected in parallel withthe breaker electrodes 13', 14/

In order to prevent oil fromthe gear case 1 getting .into the magnetoproper, suitable asketing or packing may e provided. I are illustrated asimple form which consists of a sleeve mounted on the shaft 2 and havinga flange 20' engaging the adjacent and preferably secured thereto by bythe free end of the arm 9 and adapted bearing flange, the sleeve havin aslot 20,

and pm, 20, connection with tie shaft. A

spring. 21 hearing at -one end against the flange 20 and at. its otherend against the adjacent side of the rotor servesto maintain the sleeve20 in lace. Should any oil pass the sleeve, it wi collect in a pocket inthe piece 4', which pocket is drained by the duct 4!. 4

The operation of the mechanism will be readily apparent. During'therotation of the rotor 7 its polar surfaces will es blish a path of leastmagnetic reluctance be ween the polar surface 5 of the polar projection5" and the polar surface 1 of the )ole piece 1. \Vhen the parts areinthis relationship the flux'between the )oles of the permanent magnetwill extend tirou h the, polar projection 5", which-practic'aly servesas a core for the coil 6. As the rotor 7 is then rotated the reluctanceof the path through the polar projection 5" will increase and thedensity of the flux threading through the generating windingwilldccrease. I prefertoclose the circuit of the primary winding duringdecrease of magnetic flux therethrouglnsd that the when thecircuit isclosed will be always that due to flux decrease through the winding andits effect upon the )ermanentmagnets, if any, willfbe in the directionto tend to build up rathcrthan break down their magnetism. Finally,during its rotation,'1he rotor 7 will establish a path of least reluctance throu h the polar projection 5" and entirely outsic e of thepolar projection 5 in fact will cause an air gap to exist between thepolar projection 5 and the rotorf The cam 16 is timed with reference tothe rotation of the shaft 2 so as to open the circuit of the primarywinding substantially at the instant of generation of current thereindue to maximum rate of flux decrease throu h that winding. Upon theopening of tie primary circuit in this manner, a high electromotiveforce will be induced in the seccurrent generated in the primary windingondary 6? which will cause a spark to jump V formed and it and the upperleg of the magnet are suitably secured to the lug 23 by means ofscrews'23'. In order to make the operatin parts of the magneto weatherand practical y water proof, it suitable external housing or casing maybe employed. I have illustrated one at 24.

One of the problems in connection with the construction ofi'a tractorwheel of the type under consideration is to keep its power generatingparts, including the motor roper and electric ignition generator thereor, within a reasonably small com ass.

5 My invention lends itself peculiarly we 1 to this end. Furthermore, agenerator constructed in accordance .with my idea will be suitably andrigidl supported and fully capable of withstanding the various andrepeated shocks and strains to which it is sub Je'cted in the ordinaryusage of the tractor wheel on the road. of iron, and the pole piece 1 isformed integral therewith, the latter may be machined 16 {at the sametime that the ear case is being 6 .most economimachined so as to affordt cal method of manufacture. V a

It will be noted that the bear' in addition to operating as a crank shabearing, performs the unction of counteracting tie stresses on theextended end 2 of the shaft due to the field on the rotor 7. Manyalterations applications of my invention will suggest themselvesto thoseskilled in the art of'making mechanism of the-class described, .withoutdeparting from the scope and spirit thereofj My disclosures anddescription hereinare purely illustrative and are not intended to be inany. sense limiting.

What I claim is: E 1. In a machine of the class described, an enginecasing of iron, having a pole piece formed integrally therewith, aplurality of polar projections spaced from sa d pole piece and separatedfrom said engine casing by a spacin to sup orte by said engine casing,

slia having one end projecting between the polar faces of said polepiece and said polar projections, anunwound rotor carried the extended'end of said engine shaft, a

generating winding'on one of said polar projections and a field magnetembracing said pole piece and polar pro ections.

- 2. In a machine of the class described, an engine casing of iron,having a pole piece formed integrally therwitli, a plurality of polarprojections spaced 'from .said' pole iiece and separated in a spacingpiece of non-magnetic material supported by said engine casing, anengine shaft having one end pr Jecting between the polar faces of saidpole piece and said polar projections, anunu'ound rotor carried by theextended end' of saidengine shaft, a gene rating winding on one of saidpolar projections, a field magnet embracing said pole iece and polarprojections, a cam carried iiy said engine shaft adjacent said rotor,-and circuit opening and closing mechanism actu- -;-sated by said cam. 3.In a machine of the classdescribed,

tended end of said engine shaft, a

Where the gear case is action of the magnetic y r orted in construction,and. many widely difl'ering embodiments and piece of non-magneticmaterial an engine .projections supported rom said engine casinganengine casing of iron, having a pole piece formed integrally therewith,a plurality of polar projections spaced from said pole iece andseparated from said engine casin y a spacinggpie'ce of non-magneticmateria supported y said engine casing, an engine shaft having one endprojecting between the polar faces of said pole piece and said polarpro-' jections, an unwound rotor carried by the exgenerating wmd ng'onone of said polar pro ections, a field magnet embracing said polepieceand polar projections, a cam carried by said engine shaft'adjacent saidrotor, and circuit opening-and closing mechanism mounted on said olepiece and actuated by said cam.

4. a machine of the class described, an engine casin of iron, havingapole piece formed integra ly therewith a plurality of polar projectionsspaced from said pole piece and separated from said engine casingv by aspacing)piece of non-magnetic material supy said engine casing, anengine shaft aving one 'end projecting between the polar faces of saidpole pieces and said polar projections, an unwound rotor carried by theextended end of said engine shaft, a generating winding on one of saidpolar projections, it field magnet embracing said pole piece andpolarprojections, a cam carried by said engine shaft acondenser and breakersupport secured to said casing, a condenser mounted on one side of saidsupport, anda breaker mounted on the other side thereof and actuated bysaid cam.

5. In a machine of the class described, a pole piece and a plurality ofpolar projections suitably spaced and supported at either side of theextended end of an engine shaft, an unwound rotor on said engine shaft,a Q generating winding'on one of said polar projections, and a fieldmagnet having one pole I in magnetic contact with said 'pole piece andits other pole in magnetic con-Y. tact With-said polar projections.

6. In a machine of the class described an engine casing, an engine shaftextending therefrom, a pole piece extending from said casing parallelWithsaid engine shaft and secured to the casing, a plurality of polarfrom said casing by i. a section of non-magnetic material and havingpolar faces'oppositely disposed to the po a r faces of said pole piece,a rotor car'- ried by said shaft between the polar faces and said polepiece and polar rojections, a generating winding, and a fiel magnetembracing said pole piece and polar projections and supported from saidengine casing. 1

7. In mechanism of the class described, an' engine casing an engineshaft extendingtliere'through, a pole piece and a plurality of polarprojections. spaced apart at opposite sides of the extended end of saidpolar faces engine shaft and supported from said engine casing, anunwound rotor connected to said exten ed end of said havin polar facesdispo to ooiiperate with t e polar faces of said pole piece and polar roectionsya generating windin on one of said polar projections, and a oldmagnet embracing 'said pole piece and polar projections.

8. In a machine of the class described, an engine casing, an engineshaft extending therethrough, a pole piece and a plurality of polarpro]ections spaced a art at oppo site'sides of the extended end ofsaidenine shaft, supported from said engine casmg and havin 'polaigsurfacesin arcs of a circle struck rom the axis of said engine shaft as acenter, an unwound rotor connected to said extended end of said engineshaft and having polar faces arranged between and coiiperating with thepolar surfaces of said'pole piece and polar projections, a generatingwinding on one of said polar. projections, and a field magnet cinracingsaid pole pieces and polar projections.

9. In mechanisms of the class described, the combination of an eninecasing, a rotatable engine shaft extent ing theretlu-ough. a bearinfor said shaft arranged in said casing adjacent the extended end of saidshaft, a plurality of pole pieces supported from said casing one side ofsaid extended end of said shaft and having polar faces disposed in arcsof a circle struck from the axis of said shaft as a center, an unwoundrotor carried by the extended end of said shaft adjacent said bearingand having polar faces disposed to coiiperate with the polar faces ofsaid polar projections, a

generating winding on one of said polar projections, and a field magnetsupported from said casin with its poles disposed in inductive re ationto said polar projectionsand rotor, whereby stresses on said shaft dueto magnetic action upon said rotor are counteracted by said bearing.

10. In mechanism of the classdescribed, the combination of an enginecasing, a crank shaft-having one end extendingthrough said casing, abearing for said sha t arranged in said casing ad acent the extended endof said shaft, a plurality of pole pieces supported from said casing atone side of said extended end of said shaft and having polar rom facesdisposed in arcs of a circlestruc the axis of said shaft as a center, anunwound rotor carried by the extended end of said shaft adjaqant saidbearing and having polar faces disposed to coiiperate with the saidpolar pro1ectrons, a genof crating winding on one'of said polarprojections, and a field magnet supported from said casin with its polesdisposed'in inductive relation to said polar projectionsandseeiggineshaft and rotor, whereby said bearing operates both as havinone end mounted in said bearing and exten ing outwardly therefrom, anunwound rotor formed inde endently of the en inc parts and carried ysaid extended end of said crank shaft adjacent to said bearing, a fieldmagnet supported by saidcasing with its poles in inductive relation tosaid rotor, a pole piece in inductive relation to one pole of saidmagnet, a generating winding carried by sai pole piece, a cam alsocarried b the extended end of said crank shaft, and circuit closing andopening mechanism cooperating withsaid cam and said generating winding.i

1'2. In mechanism of the class described, an engine casin a rotatableengine shaft extending theretirough, a bearing for sai shaft arranged insaid casing and adjacent the extended end of said shaft, a statordetachably secured to said casing at one side of the extended end ofsaid shaft and hating a plurality of polarprojections with polar facesdisposed in arcs of a circle struck from the axis of said shaft as acenter, a cam carrieib ythe extended end of saidhaw rotor carried by theextended end of said shaft between said cam and said bearing, and havingpolar faces disposed to coiiperate with the polar, faces of said polarprojections, a generating winding on one of said polar projections, 11field agnet su )ported from saidcasing'with its les in in uctire.relation to-said polar projections and rotor, and circuit ,closinlg1 andopening mechanism coiiiperating wit said cam and said generatingwinding, whereby stresses on said shaft due to magnetic action upon saidrotor are counteracted by said bearin I 13. fa mechanism of the classdescribed. the combination with a rotatable'shaft of an internalcombustion engine, of an ignition generator for said engine comprisingan unwound rotor Which'is both mounted on said engine shaft and formedindependently of the other engine parts, and a stationary enerating coilsupported by the engine frame in inductive re atlon to the rotor.

14. In mechanism of the class described, the combination with thecasing" and a roignition generator for said ohginehavm stator partscomprising a generating col and an unwound rotor'which 18 both mountedon the engine shaft and formed independently oft e other ehgine parts.

mounted on the engine casing 15, In mechanism of the class describe'd,.In testimony whereof I affix my signature the combination with arotatable crank shaft in the presence of two witnesses. of an internacom ustion engine of an ignition generator for said .engine c omprisingLEON LE PONTOIS' 5 an unwound rotor mounted directly on said Witnessesshaft and formed independently of the qther JOHN C. BARKLEY,

- engine parts. EDWARD R. ALEXANDER.

